Thursday, November 17, 2016

Elite fancy foofoo fashion fans are in awe of the superstars of the industry, Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, Coco Chanel, Bob Mackie, Oscar de la Renta are but a few that have been revered and rewarded. But there is one iconic trendsetter who remains unheralded. Her name is not on the labels of her famous fedoras. Her chapeaus are not worn on the runways of Paris while celebrities stand and clap.

This innovator of beautiful beer bonnets finally needs to be brought into the limelight, and her name is Evelyn Richardson, the inventor of the Aluminum Can Hat!

Not much is know this artistic genius. Her short bio in the 1975 instruction pamphlet says:

"As an important part of living after the death of her husband, Evelyn's enthusiasm for crocheted hats and purses began by turning discarded plastic bottles into lovely useful items which then led eventually into the use of aluminum cans. Evelyn discovered that aluminum cans offered her a greater variety of colors and design and were always available from her son and his friends who collected them on weekend trips."

What follows are her guides to knit your own can hats, and you might possibly be inspired to come up with your own patterns from her teachings. Helpful hint- try and use old thicker cans from before the 90s for more sturdy apparel.

Also, if you're so inclined, I would really like a complete Schlitz suit!